---
title: From Founding Student to Founding Teacher
description: "NEWS:National Alliance for Public Charters: CV HS teacher, Ariana Dominguez, shares her DSST story"
---

[HELIX FEED ](https://blog.dsstpublicschools.org/helix)

# [From Founding Student to Founding Teacher](https://blog.dsstpublicschools.org/helix/from-founding-student-to-founding-teacher)

 Written by [DSST Public Schools](https://blog.dsstpublicschools.org/helix/author/dsst-public-schools) | 05/07/19

*This month, beginning with National Charter Schools Week, we will feature stories from charter school graduates from across the country. Check back every day to see a new student feature in our 30 Days of Grad series.*

Many people can name decisions that changed their lives forever. One of mine was in 2005 as a freshman in high school in Denver, Colorado. I spent two weeks convincing my parents that traveling on two buses *and* a train one-way to attend a public charter school across the city was worth it. As a new charter school, [DSST](https://www.dsstpublicschools.org/) was making promises that my parents had never seen accomplished in our community.

The moment I stepped off the number 20 bus onto a beautiful and modern high school campus, I was given exactly the opportunities my family and I were promised. With a combination of rigorous courses, instructional supports, and focus on core values, I was introduced to a world where my identity was valued and molded. I was exposed to academic habits that would help me excel in college, and that focus on college culture brought about the sense of equity I had been dreaming of.

[Read the full story here.](https://www.publiccharters.org/latest-news/2017/05/07/founding-student-founding-teacher-two-dsst-campuses-ten-years?utm_campaign=Teacher%20Appreciation%20Week%202019&utm_content=90696769&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-26299078)

[View full post](https://blog.dsstpublicschools.org/helix/from-founding-student-to-founding-teacher)

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